2 months clean...

[WantToBeBetter]

Hi everyone. This website and advice has been great for me but haven't been on for a while. My question is when will I feel motivated and happy again?  All I want to do is lie around and that is so not me!!  It's interfering with everything in my life. I just have so much anxiety and no desire to do anything. Is this going to start getting better???  Thanks in advance for your help.

[gnarly_1]

Hi  well I wish there where a magic timeline that would show you here it will be all better  but there is not  there are a lot of factors how long you where on it at what dose and yourr age all factor in the first 30 days are the hardest  then you will see a gradual improvement at 60  and around 90 my life startedto turn around  but recovery is different for everybody  you just have to roll with it  I also agree you need to do something pro/active  N/A will be a big help I still go to 4 meetings a week it give you somewhere to share where people will understand what your going threw  the 12 steps help put back some structure in your life something most addicts dont have if your not already going  google

[Krissy_123]

Hey sweetie,none of us can really answer that because it's different for everyone. I know you're anxious and just want to be feeling good now. But it's just an unknown answer,you need to find things you enjoy to do,things that make you happy. The worst thing you can do is stress about "when will I feel normal"? For now just live in the moment,it's all you can do. Keep posting,tell us how you're feeling on a day to day basis. It helps to talk about all the different emotions you're feeling. Are you in any kind of an aftercare program? Na/aa or even a counsler of sorts that you can talk with? It's essential that you have a form of aftercare. None of us can get through this alone. :))

[refills]

Hey BeBetter. Yeah this is the part everyone tells you about when we begin our road back to sobriety. This is what aftercare is for. Meetings are one thing. They get you out among people who are experiencing similar roadblocks as you are. There's one catch to NA/AA meetings. You have to feel good to participate. Yes you need to push yourself and I think there are online meetings now of some kind. I'm talking about chronic fatigue and an overwhelming malaise. When after a month or so and I was pushing myself to do things, I was told to slow down. I was told to be the patient and let others do for me. That's hard to do sometimes. What I'm saying is to let things come to you a bit. Your mind and body need to heal. You'll know when and what you can do by when you stat to feel better. Then off to meetings you go....Feel better soon.....ike

[WantToBeBetter]

Thank you for writing...  I'm sorry to be so weird about this but how long until you "came back"?

[Heather8448]

I went to aftercare, I chose a 12 step program and I work the steps and I take suggestions. I found a higher power and I began to pray,I made a new family, I started working out
walking and making myself move and eventually things come back
but just because we are clean doesnt mean things get better
but we can get better at dealing with them, eventaully your energy will come back it took me a while

[WantToBeBetter]

Do you think this can go on for longer than a year?

[Krissy_123]

Yes same here. I was on oxycodone for 11 years. You have to look at it that way too,I poisoned my brain for 11 years. You for 5 years. These few months we have are a drop in the bucket campared to that. They are great don't get me wrong,but it's still just the start.

[WantToBeBetter]

Thanks ladies!  It's so frustrating. It's the PAWS thing that scares me. Like I may not be okay for up to 6 months. I was on Percs for 5 years and I'm terrified my normal brain will never come back. I just want to have ME back!

[Krissy_123]

Yes it will get better,I'm at 3 months with still little energy. But the more I do the better I feel,I fight that feeling to lay around like my life depends on it(cuz it does) the minute. Lay around my brain starts racing I start thinking. Get up,go for a walk. I bake ALOT. lol. Or get to a meeting. Talk about how you're feeling. It's a fight for our life back it's not easy,but it's doable!!

[CRSeaside]

Ive had to get off and go back on pain pills many times due to surgeries.
  I found out after menopause it wasn't just the after effects of the pills.
I have late onset bipolar and ADHD. So now I'm on treatment for those disorders and my meds help me.
If you find out you're not suffering depression or anything the best way to stimulate yourself is to force yourself to exercise.
Exercise stimulates your natural endorphins and helps your brain learn to manufacture these chemicals again.
  I think it depends on how long you were on opioids and how much you were taking. Some people bounce back in 3 months. Others who've been on massive doses or have a history of mental problems have told me they feel better after about 2 Years.
  It wouldn't hurt to be evaluated and see if you need an antidepressant or something to get you going again.  It could be a temporary fix.
Do you have a good aftercare support system in place?  Plus amino acid supplements and vitamins help a lot of people heal faster.  
Congratulations. Keep up the good work. Maxy